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Dallas Stars make a quick trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins

By Brian Sweet

Mar 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) and Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) and Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Well, it was nice celebrating Ed Belfour and Ken Hitchcock who contributed to Dallas Stars History this past weekend with a win Saturday over the Philadelphia Flyers. With the celebration in the rearview mirror, the Stars travel up to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins tonight. The Stars’ defense needs to be on their toes tonight because the Penguins are good this season. Let’s take a look at the three keys of the game tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Stars.

Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: 3. No shorthanded goals

The Dallas Stars cannot afford to give up shorthanded goals on the power play like they did against the Flyers. Last season the Stars gave up only five shorthanded goals the entire season. The point of the power play is to keep the puck in your opponent’s zone and make them pay for committing a penalty by scoring a goal. You could tell that Pete DeBoer was not pleased with the press conference after the game on Saturday night.

Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: 2. Shut down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin

The Stars must focus on the Penguins’ biggest stars tonight. Even though Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are up there in age, they are still lethal like Joe Pavelski is. The Stars need to ensure both are well covered in the Stars’ zone tonight. I don’t want them getting a wide-open shot on Jake Oettinger tonight. If the Stars can shut down their two-headed scoring monster tonight, the Stars can come away with two points on the road.

Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: 1. Limit turnovers

The Stars need to limit their turnovers tonight against the Penguins. They gave up the puck 13 times against the Flyers on Saturday. Even DeBoer said that was “very generous” of them at the press conference. You cannot do that against the Penguins if you expect to come away with a win. They have too many good goal-scorers who will punish you on breakaways if you cough up the puck. Puck handling tonight will be a huge key if the Stars want to steal a win on the road.

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